I agree there, Kotch. It's been a crazy few weeks and I think everyone is busy getting ready for the end of the school year! #sunchat

Oh well, Paz. Looks like you can get Will to the playground early this morning before those winds kick in! We can put #sunchat on the back burner for a few weeks and try to revive again in the future.

Good morning #sunchat! Getting ready to return to the classroom for the last nine weeks of school here in Jersey! We just got over a scary wildfire that is still burning within our county. How is everyone this morning?

See you next week! #sunchat

Morning #sunchat crew! Melissa here from the Jersey shore. Just got into soccer practice with my little guy. So now I have time to really deep dive into this conversation!

Oh no!! Time for me to collect my little soccer from practice and head on home. I will catch all of you next week! #sunchat

This is what I love to do with my science curriculum and try to adapt it to ELA and Math content areas to assist in connecting concepts across the board. #sunchat

My classes are pushing 30-31 ::struggle:: #sunchat

We used to have "MAC" programs in our district that looped together 3rd and 4th grade classes. I assume they are the modern-day icr classrooms and they did really well! #suncht

I agree... The pairs are one thing, anything above is chaos. #sunchat

☀️ Good morning #sunchat! My name is Melissa and I am a middle school science teacher in New Jersey. Definitely struggling to make it to spring break up here as we have another almost 2 weeks to go... How is everybody doing this morning?

See you shortly on #sunchat! We'll talk about the best way to group students in class. Do we mix up the levels? Do we keep like-levels together? What is today's thinking? See you at 9am eastern! We can't wait to hear your opinions!

Have a great week everyone!! Going to attempt to get my life together 🤣 see you all next week! #sunchat

In our middle school, students are offered marking period electives in sixth grade.. hald year elective courses in 7th grade.. and full year elective courses in eighth.. due to projects those classes have been really dialed back. #sunchat

It is amazing to me how many students, even my honors students, cannot tie a knot... How to cut cardboard, how to use a microwave... This is a huge red flag to me and I support bringing these classes back and turning off the tech! #sunchat

☀️ Good morning #sunchat!! My name is Melissa and I teach 6th grade science and 8th grade STEM In New Jersey. Yesterday was a gorgeous day here and I'm kind of bummed that the weather didn't stay. How is everybody doing this morning?☀️

Well, I'm going to have a lot of time over the summer and the first working period of next year I'm maternity leave so I'm definitely going to look into this! #sunchat

Yes, @carlameyrink.bsky.social I would love to see a "skeleton" of what a lesson or unit would entail! #sunchat

In my 8th grade STEM class, I am trying to incorporate as many soft skills as possible. Many times, these students will be going to choice high schools that they test into and they need these skills in order to be successful in their work habits and in life! #sunchat

Good morning #sunchat! Melissa here from the Jersey shore where we are hoping for some better weather and less wind BRR! How is everyone doing this morning?

Preach it @susankotch.bsky.social ... My husband just lost his job and hopefully will find one quickly and I'm trying to navigate how I can supplement my classes bc I usually end up buying everything! #sunchat

How about an Edu-truth .. teachers give up 100s if not 1000s of unpaid hours to ensure Ss are prepared and engaged with their learning. I can't speak for EVERY educator, but I'm currently sitting here at soccer practice with my laptop planning out engaging lessons to captivate my Ss. #sunchat

Another myth.. personal "favorite".. well since the student test scores are not showing and are awful, why are we paying teachers their salaries? What are they doing? #sunchat

I have turned to this model in the second half of my 8th grade STEM curriculum that I am building. I can really deep dive with students who "get it" and help those who need assistance... It's a balancing act but I do love student centered! I get more and so do my students! #sunchat

This annoys me deeply .. many times I do not bitey tongue and the offer these naysayers an opportunity to come and sub in our buildings to really feel a smiggle amount of responsibility that we carry.. drives me nuts! #sunchat

🌞 Good morning #sunchat! Hope everyone is doing great this morning! Losing the hour hasn't really hurt too much, but talk to @susankotch.bsky.social and myself tomorrow with our middle school population! 😂 Send prayers! How is everybody doing this morning?

It is Sunday, which means it is time to #sunchat! Jump on this morning at 9am Eastern as we tackle this topic: (but don't forget we changed the clocks last night! See you at the top of the hour!)

I think times have taken a new direction and unless a community still has those core values, there is to much being spread online that influences how people think and view school. It's an uphill battle we will not win. #sunchat

I say this all the time... Every day to be exact.... The guardians of parents I need desperately never answer or block, while the involved parents are the ones that always answer! #sunchat

Morning #sunchat! Currently on the road in New Jersey heading to a soccer practice for my little guy. How is everybody doing this morning! I'm really hoping this is the last cold day here in New Jersey! Bring on spring!

Okay, @carlameyrink.bsky.social I am SUPER jealous of that view right now!! We have a tundra outside and hopefully we will thaw out soon for the spring and summer! #sunchat

Good morning #sunchat! My name is Melissa and I am a middle school science teacher in New Jersey. I hope everybody had a fantastic week! We are looking forward to a little bit more warmer weather here in Jersey this week.. fingers crossed! How is everybody doing this morning?

🌞Thanks @susankotch.bsky.social ! We are the best team and the best crew around! I only learn from the best! #sunchat 🌞

🌞 Okay #sunchat crew, @susankotch.bsky.social and I hope you have a good rest of your weekend and we will start fresh next weekend 😄. Anyone in the way of these passing storms keep safe and I hope everyone is a good week ahead! 🌞

Many of us struggle with being effective communicators, but I feel as an admin that is one of those non-negotiable traits. Always thinking before you speak! #sunchat

When I was long-term subbing over a decade ago I wasn't sure where I wanted to go... I remember being in a post conference with an admin who scared me and she told me I didn't belong here.. It broke my heart.. But she readjusted her statement and said I was meant for middle school 🤣🤣 #sunchat

This is what I love as a teacher.. I put so much time and effort into my lessons and getting students involved and I like to be recognized every so often (even if it was a side conversation in passing. I always wonder if I'm doing enough for my students in that small gesture helps a lot. #sunchat

Since moving over to our Middle School in our district, I've seen more administration walking through hallways than I have before. Our principal pops his head into our classrooms to say good morning to my students and myself. So far I have felt supported, especially when there are problems. #sunchat

This is definitely something that can have benefits and disadvantages... As a teacher that's very involved with curriculum and with her students it would drive me crazy with all the work I was doing and others were a long for the ride! #sunchat

@carlameyrink.bsky.social , as an admin I can see the changes and the involvement that you have with your students and your staff. What do you think are the most important qualities and administrators should have that would be on your team? #sunchat

Okay .. administrators... Some teachers I talked to on here have said their administration is a ghost... While others say their administration is present and always looking to help... What are your thoughts! #sunchat

#sunchat topic of the day:

🌞 Good morning #sunchat! It is a rainy Sunday morning here up in New Jersey. We are waiting for a windstorm to be pushing through! How is everybody doing this morning? Please take a moment to introduce yourself to the group!

Join us for another #sunchat tomorrow morning at 9am eastern! Do administrators really know what goes on in the classroom? Let's talk about what makes a great administrator! See you in the morning!

🌞 Okay #sunchat!! It is that time unfortunately again for me to head off to get some housework done before the super bowl party heads our way! I hope everybody has a fantastic week and an enjoyable Sunday! It was great chatting with all of you!! See you next week! 🌞

I'm not sure what everybody else is seeing in their classrooms or what their students... But how do we get students to be more engaged in their learning? Putting aside pbl and other Hands-On applications... What can we do? #sunchat

Should we be moving towards a rubric-based grading system? Should we be looking at alternative grading types? What is your school district currently doing as a means to assess students. #sunchat

Right on @alextvalencic.bsky.social !! This is such a loss and a missed opportunity... There were so many great ideas but nobody wanted to put their foot to the pedal and really deep dive into this. I'm still mourning!! #sunchat

There are many times that grades do not seem to affect students or their families until it becomes a problem later on, for example, getting into my honors courses... Why should grades not be reflective of the whole student? Why are they sometimes put on the back burner? #sunchat

I just received a new student within my classes that have been moved due to issues and when I got to know the student for the first 10 minutes of class they told me not to expect much out of them as they are there just to pass through... What are we doing for students like this? #sunchat